Family Income: Percent of dependent children (under 18 years of age) who live in above-low-income families. Low income is defined as 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which depends on the size and composition of the family. EPE Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 2010.

Parent Education: Percent of dependent children with at least one parent who holds a two- or four-year postsecondary degree. Ibid.

Parental Employment: Percent of dependent children with at least one parent who is steadily employed, defined as working full time (at least 35 hours per week) and year-round (at least 50 weeks during the previous year). Those not in the labor force are excluded from calculations. Active-duty military service is considered participation in the labor force. Ibid.

Linguistic Integration: Percent of dependent children whose parents are fluent speakers of English. Fluency is defined as being a native speaker or speaking the language "very well." All resident parents must be fluent in English for a family to be considered linguistically integrated. Ibid.

SCHOOL YEARS

Preschool Enrollment: Percent of 3- and 4-year-olds who are attending preschool, based on a three-year average. Both public and private education programs are counted. EPE Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Kindergarten Enrollment: Percent of eligible children attending public or private kindergarten programs, based on a three-year average. The size of the entering kindergarten cohort is calculated based on the number of 5- and 6-year-olds in a state. Ibid.

Elementary Reading Achievement: Percent of 4th graders in public schools who scored at or above the "proficient" level in reading on the 2011 State NAEP assessment. National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, 2011.

Middle School Mathematics Achievement: Percent of 8th graders in public schools who score at or above the "proficient" level in mathematics on the 2011 State NAEP assessment. Ibid.

High School Graduation Rate: Percent of public high school students who graduate on time with a standard diploma for the 2007-08 school year. The graduation rate is calculated using the EPE Research Center's Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) formula with data from the U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data. EPE Research Center, 2011.

Young-Adult Education: Percent of young adults (ages 18 to 24) who are either currently enrolled in a postsecondary education program or who have already earned a postsecondary credential. Those still enrolled in high school programs are excluded from the calculation. EPE Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 2010.

ADULT OUTCOMES

Adult Educational Attainment: Percent of adults (ages 25 to 64) who have earned a postsecondary degree. Calculations include all individuals whose highest level of attained education is an associate, bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Ibid.

Annual Income: Percent of adults (ages 25 to 64) whose annual personal income reaches or exceeds the national median ($35,082 in July 2009 dollars). Only individuals in the labor force are included in calculations. Ibid.

Steady Employment: Percent of adults (ages 25 to 64) who are steadily employed, defined as working full time (at least 35 hours per week) and year-round (at least 50 weeks during the previous year). Those not in the labor force are excluded from calculations. Active-duty military service is considered participation in the labor force. Ibid.

K-12 ACHIEVEMENT

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL

NAEP Mathematics 2011 (4th and 8th grades): Percent of public school students who score at or above the "proficient" level in mathematics on the 2011 State NAEP assessment. National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, 2011.

NAEP Reading 2011 (4th and 8th grades): Percent of public school students who score at or above the "proficient" level in reading on the 2011 State NAEP assessment. Ibid.

ACHIEVEMENT GAINS

NAEP Mathematics Change 2003-2011 (4th and 8th grades): Change in NAEP scale scores for public school students between 2003 and 2011. Ibid.

NAEP Reading Change 2003-2011 (4th and 8th grades): Change in NAEP scale scores for public school students between 2003 and 2011. Ibid.

POVERTY GAP

Poverty Gap (4th grade reading and 8th grade math): Scale-score difference in 2011 NAEP achievement between public school students eligible and non-eligible for the National School Lunch Program. Larger values indicate wider gaps in performance with higher scores for non-eligible students. Ibid.

Poverty-Gap Change 2003-2011 (4th grade reading and 8th grade math): Change in the size of the poverty gap for public school students between 2003 and 2011. Ibid.

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

NAEP Mathematics 2011 Percent "Advanced" (8th grade): Percent of public school students who score at the advanced level in mathematics on the 2011 State NAEP assessment. Ibid.

NAEP Mathematics Percent "Advanced" Change 2003-2011 (8th grade): Change in the percent of students scoring at the NAEP advanced level in mathematics between 2003 and 2011. Ibid.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

High School Graduation Rate: Percent of public high school students who graduate on time with a standard diploma for the 2007-08 school year. The graduation rate is calculated using the EPE Research Center's Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) formula with data from the U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data. EPE Research Center, 2011.

Change in Graduation Rate: Change in public high school graduation rate between 2000 and 2008. Ibid.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

High AP Test Scores: Number of high AP test scores (3 or above) per 100 students in grades 11 and 12. Analysis is specific to public school students. EPE Research Center analysis of data from the College Board's AP Summary Reports and the U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data, 2010.

Change in High AP Scores: Change in the ratio of high AP scores for public school students between 2000 and 2010. Ibid.

STANDARDS, ASSESSMENTS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY

STANDARDS

Course- or Grade-Specific Standards: Academic-content standards are specified for each grade and/or course in elementary, middle, and high school rather than for grade spans. Results are reported by grade span and academic subject area. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

Supplementary Resources: State has supplementary resources or guides for educators that elaborate on official academic-standards documents. Results are reported for states with supplemental resources for all core academic subjects (English, math, science, history/social studies) and with resources for particular student populations (e.g., special education students or English-language learners). Ibid.

ASSESSMENTS

Types of Test Items: For each item type, results are reported by school grade span. EPE Research Center review of testing calendars and other materials from state education agency Web sites, as verified by states, 2011.

Assessments Aligned to Standards: Subjects in which state uses assessments aligned to state standards. Results are reported for each core academic-subject area. Ibid.

Vertically Equated Assessments: State tests for the 2011-12 school year have been vertically equated in grades 3-8 so that scores for each grade have been placed on a common metric. Results are reported for English/language arts and mathematics. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

Benchmark Assessments: State provides educators with benchmark assessments or item banks linked to state standards. Assessments or test items may be developed by the state or an external organization. Ibid.

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY

School Ratings: State has an accountability system that uses ratings based on state-developed criteria, which may or may not also include elements of adequate yearly progress. Ibid.

Statewide Student-Identification System: State attaches unique identification codes to individual students for tracking purposes so that individual test-score data can be linked to specific schools or teachers. Data Quality Campaign, 2010.

Rewards for High-Performing or Improving Schools: Reward programs may require schools to apply or compete for extra funding or recognition. Rewards to schools do not need to be based on school ratings. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

Assistance to Low-Performing Schools: State provides funding or technical assistance to failing or low-performing schools, based on school ratings. Credit is only given for statewide policies that are not limited to Title I schools. Ibid.

Sanctions for Low-Performing Schools: State is authorized to apply sanctions to low-performing schools under state law. Credit is only given for statewide policies that are not limited to Title I schools. Ibid.

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR QUALITY

This section of the report includes a series of six indicators related to initial licensure requirements for prospective teachers. State requirements that do not also apply to alternative-route candidates are identified. In state grading, credit is awarded for each of these six policies. In addition, states receive credit for alternative-certification programs that include at least one of the licensure requirements that apply to traditional-route candidates.

Coursework Requirements for Licensure: To earn an initial license, prospective teachers at every grade certification level must have taken substantial formal coursework in subject area(s) taught, corresponding to a major or equivalent. An asterisk indicates requirements that do not also apply to alternative-route teachers. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

Licensure Assessments: Prospective teachers at every grade certification level must pass written tests in basic skills, subject-specific knowledge, or subject-specific pedagogy to earn an initial license. An asterisk indicates requirements that do not also apply to alternative-route teachers. Ibid.

Clinical Experiences for License: To earn an initial teacher's license, candidates from a traditional route must have participated in student-teaching or other clinical experiences during their pre-service training. An asterisk indicates requirements that do not also apply to alternative-route teachers. Ibid.

Discouraging Out-of-Field Teaching: State attempts to limit out-of-field teaching by directly notifying parents of the practice or by placing a ban or cap on the number of out-of-field teachers. States receive credit for statewide policies that are not limited to Title I schools. Ibid.

Evaluation of Teacher Performance: This set of indicators characterizes state policies for evaluating the performance of teachers. Specific policies indicate whether: all teachers must be formally evaluated; teacher evaluations must be tied to student achievement; evaluations occur at least annually; and all teacher evaluators must receive formal training in evaluation techniques and procedures. Ibid.

Data Systems to Monitor Quality: State data system has the capacity to provide information on the performance of teacher workforce and teacher-education programs by matching teachers to their students' state-assessment results, and linking data on teachers' performance to their teacher-preparation programs. Data Quality Campaign, 2011.

INCENTIVES AND ALLOCATION

Alternative-Route Program: State regulates an alternative-route teacher-preparation program to recruit candidates with at least a bachelor's degree. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

License Reciprocity or Portability: State has teacher-license agreement with other state(s) that allows licensed out-of-state teachers to obtain a similar license without fulfilling significant additional requirements. Ibid.

Pension Portability: State policy allows portability of teacher pension into the state. Ibid.

Teacher-Pay Parity: Median public school teacher salaries in the state, expressed as a percentage of annual salaries in comparable occupations. Teacher salaries are indexed against salaries for a set of 16 occupations with similar skill demands (e.g., accountant, architect, registered nurse, physical therapist), identified in a 2004 study by the Economic Policy Institute. EPE Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 2009 and 2010.

Reporting Teacher Salaries: State requires all districts to report average teacher salaries at the school level. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

Pay for Performance: State has a pay-for-performance program or pilot rewarding teachers for raising student achievement. Ibid.

Incentives for Teacher Leaders: State funds incentives or rewards for teachers who take on differentiated roles. Ibid.

NBPTS Incentives: State provides financial incentives for teachers to earn National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. Ibid.

Incentives for Targeted Assignments: State provides incentives for teachers to work in targeted hard-to-staff schools and teaching-assignment areas statewide. Policies must apply to current, not prospective, teachers for states to receive credit. Ibid.

Targeted Principal Assignments: State provides incentives to current principals to work in targeted hard-to-staff schools. Ibid.

BUILDING AND SUPPORTING CAPACITY

Supports for Beginning Teachers: This set of indicators reports whether states have in place the following policies aimed at beginning teachers: mandatory participation in a state-funded induction program; required participation in a state-funded mentoring program (and whether that program has standards for selecting, training, and/or matching mentors); and a reduced workload for first-year teachers. Ibid.

Professional Development: This set of indicators reports whether states have in place the following policies related to professional development: formal professional-development standards; state-financed professional development for all districts; a requirement for districts/schools to set aside time for professional development; and a mandate for all districts to align professional development with local priorities and goals. Ibid.

School Leadership: These indicators are related to state requirements for initial school administrator licensure: State has official certification standards; mandated a supervised internship; and required participation in either an induction or mentoring program. Ibid.

Class-Size Initiatives: State has implemented a class-size reduction program or regulations to limit class size. Findings apply to states with statewide requirements that focus on some or all grades. Ibid.

Student-Teacher Ratio: Median student-to-teacher ratio in primary-level schools for 2009-10 school year. EPE Research Center analysis of U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data, 2009-10.

School Facilities: State regularly tracks the condition of facilities for all schools. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey, 2011.

School Climate and Working Conditions: State regularly collects and publicly reports school-level information on school climate and working conditions, based at least in part on surveys of teachers. Ibid.

SCHOOL FINANCE

EQUITY

The EPE Research Center conducted an original analysis to calculate four distinct indicators that capture the degree to which education funding is equitably distributed across the districts within a state. In analyses adjusting for characteristics of the student population, students in poverty receive a weight of 1.2 and special education students receive a weight of 1.9.

Wealth-Neutrality Score: This indicator captures the degree to which a school district's revenue (state and local sources) is correlated with its property-based wealth. Positive values indicate that wealthier districts have higher revenue levels. EPE Research Center analysis using: U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data (CCD) 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09 (district-level data); NCES Comparable Wage Index 2005; U.S. Census Bureau's Public Elementary- Secondary Education Finance Data for 2009; U.S. Census Bureau's Small-Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2009; U.S. Department of Education's School District Demographics data from the 2000 Census.

McLoone Index: Indicator value is the ratio of the total amount spent on pupils below the median to the amount that would be needed to raise all students to the median per-pupil expenditure in the state. The index defines perfect equity as a situation in which every district spends at least as much as the district serving the median student in the state (ranked according to per-pupil expenditures). EPE Research Center analysis using: U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data (CCD) 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09 (district-level data); NCES Comparable Wage Index 2005; U.S. Census Bureau's Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data for 2009; U.S. Census Bureau's Small-Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2009.

Coefficient of Variation: This indicator measures the level of variability in funding across school districts in a state. The value is calculated by dividing the standard deviation of per-pupil expenditures (adjusted for regional cost differences and student needs) by the state's average spending per pupil. Ibid.

Restricted Range: The restricted range is the difference between spending levels for the districts serving students at the 5th and 95th percentiles of the per-pupil-expenditure distribution. Ibid.

SPENDING

Adjusted Per-Pupil Expenditures: Average statewide per-student spending, adjusted for variations in regional costs using the NCES Comparable Wage Index 2005. EPE Research Center analysis using: National Center for Education Statistics, Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2008-09 (Fiscal Year 2009), June 2011.

Percent of Students in Districts With PPE at or Above U.S. Average: Expenditures are adjusted for regional cost differences and student needs. EPE Research Center analysis using: U.S. Census Bureau's Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data for 2009; CCD district-level data 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09; NCES Comparable Wage Index 2005; and U.S. Census Bureau's Small-Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2009.

Spending Index: Index gauges state spending according to the percent of students served by districts spending at or above the national average as well as the degree to which lower-spending districts fall short of that national benchmark. Expenditures are adjusted for regional cost differences and student needs. Ibid.

Percent of Total Taxable Resources Spent on Education: Share of state resources spent on K-12 education. EPE Research Center analysis using: state and local revenues from the National Center for Education Statistics, Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2008-09 (Fiscal Year 2009), June 2011; 2009 gross-state-product data from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis.

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